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The ruling is aimed at protecting the endangered animals – of which there are as few as 3,200 remaining in the wild – and covers the “core zones” of more than 40 reserves.

But Julian Matthews, the chairman of Travel Operators for Tigers (www.toftigers.org), believes it could have the reverse effect.

“The busiest reserves have the best protection due to revenue from tourists,” said Mr Matthews. “The problems are outside the park gates, not inside them. If tigers hated the interference for a few hours a day, why are there now so many living and breeding in the tourism zones of reserves like Ranthambhore, Bandhavgarh and Pench?”

He added: “17 tiger reserves have few or no tigers left in them. Guess what? No tourism has ever been allowed in or near these reserves. Instead, loggers arrived and poachers have free range.

“Without tourism you get corruption and neglect instead of accountability, media and political scrutiny, NGO support, and better protection through the eyes and ears of guardians and community stakeholders. Locals and farmers now have an economic reason to protect rather than fear these predators.”

India is home to more than half of the world’s estimated 3,200 tigers, with most living in wildlife reserves set up since the Seventies.

The ban announced this week is temporary, pending another judgement on August 22, and will have no initial impact on holidaymakers. The peak season for tiger tourism in India begins in October, and all the country’s reserves are closed until then.

The case was brought to court by conservationist Ajay Dube, who complained that authorities in several states had permitted the construction of hotels, resorts and shops inside the reserves.